Clar. I hope you know that there is a wide difference betwixt your father and Mr. Reissman. My axe, since I could raise it, has been employed in raising houses for the industrious, and his pen, since he could handle it, in pulling them down again.
P. Coun. This is the only service you can render me now father; is it not unkind to refuse me then?
Clar. The only service I can render you now? What, if the cares and inquietudes of rank and office should lay you on a sick bed, who would attend you with so much tenderness and affection as your old father? What if your house should take fire, I would be the first to ascend through the flames; but I will not climb into office and rank, I tell you that.
P. Coun. You must give way, father.--
Clar. You now stand on high; may you so stand respected by your fellow citizens and approved by your own conscience is the sincerest wish of your old father! Therefore, I prefer my complaints to you against a man; his name is Grobman, an ironmonger. This wretch wanted to persuade me, that you had taken two thousand dollars from another, to let him have the monopoly. He offered me two hundred dollars, if I would gain you over to his interest. Arrest the vile slanderer.
P. Coun. That fellow is an ideot.
Clar. God forbid! he is much worse. I have told him I would inform against him, and so I have to a few of my acquaintances.
P. Coun. Why so?
Clar. That you should make an example of him.
P. Coun. What is all this fuss? Why do you interfere with my concerns?